The excellent condition of the land and buildings of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on section 2, Hazel Green township, testifies to the energy and efficiency of its owner, Elmer N. Akers. He was born in Milo township, Delaware county, December 3, 1862, a son of James M. and Mary F. (Wright) Akers. The father was born in the Hoosier state and the mother was a native of Kentucky. Their marriage occurred in Indiana on the 4th of November, 1843, and they became the parents of five children, namely: Ella, who married L. W. Bloodgood; Asbury F., a resident of Nebraska; Elmer N., the subject of this review, John W., a Union soldier in the Civil War, who served in Company D, Fourth Iowa Cavalry and who was confined in Andersonville prison for several months and died of starvation; and Serilda J., who passed away in 1911. She married George W. Clapp, a resident of Bloomington, Nebraska, who also served in Company D, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, during the Civil war and was incarcerated in Andersonville prison. 
      Mr. and Mrs. James M. Akers removed from Indiana to Delaware county, Iowa, in 1857 and for a number of years the father earned a livelihood by working for others. In 1865 he purchased a farm in the Bay settlement and  continued to follow agricultural pursuits there until 1888, when he removed to the south western part of the state, making his home there until the death of his wife, which occurred in May, 1893. Subsequently he went to Nebraska and lived with his daughter, Serilda, until his death, which occurred in December, 1896.
     Elmer N. Akers received his elementary education in the district schools and later attended Lenox College at Hopkinton. After reaching man's estate he began farming for himself and is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of fine land situated on section 2, Hazel Green township. He does mixed farming and is proving very successful, his capital increasing steadily from year to year. He understands how to utilize his land to the best advantage so that he not only gathers good crops annually but also conserves the fertility of the soil.
      On the 3d of December, 1884, Mr. Akers was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Midkiff, a daughter of Preston and Roxanna (Dalrymple) Midkiff. Her father was a native of Virginia and her mother of Ohio but came to this county at an early date in its development and were here married. Both are deceased, the former dying July 9, 1905; and the latter in March, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Akers became the parents of three children, namely: Verna Roxanna, who married Martin McElmeel, a farmer of Delaware township; Mary Blanche, who married George Boyd Smith and passed away at the home of her parents June 22, 1914; and James P., at home.
      Mr. Akers is a republican in his political allegiance and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. For many years he has been one of the respected residents of this county and those who have been most closely associated with him are his staunchest friends, which fact is in itself proof of the integrity of his character.